THE TRUTH, I'm 10, I'm Smart and I Know Everything! by Dr Barbara Holstein

Dr Barbara is going to tell us about the story behind the cover art for her book The TRUTH, I'm 10, I'm Smart and I Know Everything!

Did you design the cover?

Yes, I conceptualized the cover for THE TRUTH, I'm 10, I'm Smart and I Know Everything!

Did your publisher design the cover?

My publisher and I actually worked on the design together.

Did you get to give any input about the cover design?

I gave a lot of input. Is there an interesting story behind the cover design? If so, please share the details. Yes, there is an interesting story. I wanted to cover to look like a girl's diary. I also wanted the girl to find a way to make clear to anyone who discovered her diary that she was on to something-i.e THE TRUTH! This was not just any old diary. This was something so special that even though it was a secret diary, the girl had to let you know right away how special it was. It held profound material-she knew that and she was only ten, but then again she knows everything! Also, I wanted the cover to have a picture of 'the girl.' And I wanted her to look like any ordinary kid-not someone all dolled up. I wanted the cover to further the idea that the girl is creative and has lots of ways of expressing herself, which is probably why the cover has two slightly different versions as I mention below. Guess who's picture most fitted the bill? I'm not telling, as that is a secret! Lastly, she is in love and I guess the cover successfully conveys that also!

Who is the cover artist?

Georgia Jones, the publisher of Ladybug Press who published the book.Are you happy with the cover? I'm happy in that it says most of what I wanted it to convey.

If not, what would you change and why?

If I could start it again I would also put a locket across it as a locket in the book, given to the girl by her aunt, holds the key to a profound mystery.

Tell us what you think is the best part of the cover.

The little girl's announcement on lined composition paper that she is 10, is smart and knows everything.

Is there anything else about your cover that we need to know?

Feel free to share. I actually have two versions of the cover. One has the girl on the cover and the other version has the girl on the first page, with a cut out square on the cover leading you to the girl. There is a bit of a mystery to this that I am still playing with. Anyway, when you receive your book you may find you have the cover with the girl on the front or the one with the girl inside peeking out.

Please provide your website link. http://www.enchantedself.com/